20s Man Climbs 16-Story Apartment Exterior to Break into Ex-Girlfriend's Home

"Threatened to jump off the rooftop if reported"

Cheongju District Court. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] A man in his 20s who climbed the exterior wall of a 16-story apartment building to unlawfully enter his ex-girlfriend's home and confined her on the rooftop was sentenced to prison.

The Cheongju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Lee Dong-ho) announced on the 6th that A (25), who was arrested and indicted on charges of arrest, confinement, and trespassing, was sentenced to two years in prison.

On March 25 at around 3:40 PM, A visited the apartment of B, his ex-girlfriend, after she repeatedly rejected his calls.

When B locked the door and refused to open it, A climbed up the exterior wall where the air conditioner outdoor unit was installed, reaching the 16th floor, and entered B's home through the balcony window.

Earlier, on the 18th of the same month, on a street in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju City, after B demanded to break up, A tied her arms with the top she was wearing and took her to the rooftop of an officetel building on the 8th floor.

When B tried to report to the police, A threatened, "If you report, I will jump off the rooftop," and confined B for about three hours.

The court stated the sentencing reasons, saying, "Due to the defendant's excessive obsession, the victim experienced unimaginable anxiety and fear, necessitating punishment. Considering multiple prior theft convictions and the lack of settlement with the victim, the sentence was determined."

It is reported that A has appealed the ruling.

Meanwhile, A is also accused of breaking into a factory locker room in Cheongju in January and stealing goods worth approximately 1.7 million won, including a smartphone.